Three days before completing his National Service, SGT1 Muhammad Raihan bin Razali will march in National Day Parade 2026, as part of the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) Guard of Honour (GOH) contingent. More than the culmination of his own NSF journey, he sees it as an honour to represent the SCDF NSFs who serve Singapore every day.
Three days before the completion of his full-time National Service on 12 August 2026, SGT1 Muhammad Raihan bin Razali will cap off his NSF journey in a memorable way. The 25-year-old In-Camp Training Centre (ICTC) instructor at the Civil Defence Academy, dressed in his immaculately pressed SCDF No. 1 uniform and bearing a SAR-21 rifle, will march into the National Stadium as part of the SCDF’s Guard of Honour (GOH) contingent at National Day Parade (NDP) 2026. Formed by personnel from HQ SCDF, the Civil Defence Academy, and SCDF’s Divisions, this is the second year that the SCDF’s GOH contingent is participating in the NDP.
10 years ago, Raihan’s family successfully balloted for tickets to an NDP Preview Show at the National Stadium. As he sat in the stands and watched the contingents march by, the celebratory atmosphere triggered a thought in him. He wondered what it would feel like to be part of the parade, instead of just watching it. A year later, when he was in secondary school, he was part of a mass display, a large-scale dance performance in the NDP show segment. As he performed before thousands of spectators, Raihan found himself wondering what it would be like to return one day in one of the NDP marching contingents.
This year, the thought has become reality. Raihan now stands alongside fellow Home Team servicemen in a smart, polished, and disciplined formation that showcases the SCDF’s professionalism and ethos. It is a special moment, one of privilege and pride that a handful of SCDF NSFs can experience. Yet, Raihan is quick to point out that the focus is not on himself. He is well aware that he represents every SCDF NSF who serves on the frontline in various vocations, such as firefighters, emergency medical technicians or instructors.
Before enlisting in August 2024, Raihan admitted that he did not know what to expect. As the only son in his family, he had heard stories of National Service (NS) from his father, who had served in the Singapore Armed Forces many years earlier. However, his own posting to the SCDF meant he was stepping into unfamiliar territory. “I didn’t know what was going to happen and I didn’t know if it would be tough.”
Like many young Singaporean men, his expectations of NS were shaped by popular culture and social media. The SCDF’s positive training environment built up his knowledge and skills, and provided him with challenges that tested his mastery and competence. This helped new recruits like him to build their confidence progressively.
As an ICTC Instructor, Raihan works with Operationally Ready National Servicemen (NSmen) returning for ICT. The role requires him to coordinate training, communicate with commanders, and ensure that the training plans and schedules for NSmen are well organised. As many of the NSmen are older and have to balance NS commitments with work and family, clear communication is essential. By engaging the NSmen face-to-face, Raihan is able to build rapport, provide clarity, and address concerns directly.
Working alongside NSmen has given Raihan a deeper appreciation of NS. Through his interactions with them, he has witnessed firsthand their dedication and commitment each time they report for ICT. “Having worked with them often, I understand the contributions that NSmen bring to the SCDF, and how they play a role in contributing to operational readiness.”
For Raihan, joining the GOH began with a simple decision: to put himself forward when the opportunity arose. When he heard that applications were open for the SCDF GOH contingent, he immediately volunteered. Soon afterwards, a notification appeared on his phone informing him that he had been selected.
The excitement of being in the GOH was accompanied by a sense of determination. Candidates had to demonstrate that they could meet the required standards in their drill, bearing, and turn out. “I told myself I had to do my best,” he says. “I really wanted to get selected.”
Months of rehearsals followed. Internal training sessions were soon followed by training at the Home Team Academy to familiarise participants with the SAR-21 rifle. The contingent then trained at Seletar Camp before eventually joining the larger parade rehearsals at the National Stadium. Each stage demanded higher standards of precision, endurance, and teamwork. For Raihan, the physical adjustment was significant. “The first few sessions were demanding,” he admitted.
One of Raihan’s most significant experiences was learning to handle the SAR-21 rifle. Holding the rifle for the first time was a memorable experience for him, filled with both excitement and a sense of responsibility. As training progressed, his rifle came to represent something more than its physical weight.
Learning the safety procedures, checking the weapon before every training session, and mastering the ceremonial drills taught him the importance of responsibility and discipline. “We are always mindful to take care of the rifle carefully,” he says.
That mindset extended beyond the rifle itself. As a member of the GOH, Raihan knew that he had to execute his movements crisply and sharply, on cue, and in sync with the rest of the contingents. This was especially so in the ceremonial rifle salute – the feu de joie (fire of joy). Raihan shared that initially it was challenging to coordinate the rifle volleys. Apart from going through the paces mechanically, he had to be alert, listening and observing while facing forward with the rifle, trusting that the people beside him were doing the same thing.
For all the precision required on parade, Raihan believes the most meaningful lessons from NS will stay with him long after his Operationally Ready Date (ORD). His training has changed the way he responds to others in need of help. “With the skills that I’ve learnt in SCDF, I have the capability to help,” he says, after sharing that he had helped put out a rubbish fire near his home and performed CPR on a person suffering a cardiac arrest. To him, this is one of his greatest takeaways as an NSF. This is also why being in the GOH as an NSF, means so much to him. It puts a face to the many SCDF NSFs who carry out their duties with pride every day, responding to emergencies.
Singapore celebrates its 61st birthday this year. The NDP, with its marching contingents, colourful shows, music and fireworks, relies on every participant to execute their moves, on cue and on time. For spectators, the GOH is one of the defining images of the National Day Parade. For Raihan, whenever he hears the Parade Commander issue the commands, he will stand at attention and ready himself. He will recall his dad telling him, “This GOH participation is a rare opportunity,” And he will tell himself quietly, “Let’s make this a good one.”
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